Sikhi for children: What does Guru mean?
Guru refers to the Divine - the hidden force that brings forth and transforms all life. It has neither form nor name and is beyond birth and death. The Divine exists beyond time. It is not a person to be found in a specific place – the Divine is discovered within the heart and through life. Credits: Unsplash
Guru - The divine mystery
In the preserved spiritual wisdom of Sikhi, called Gurbani, the word Guru refers to the Divine – the hidden force behind all life and transformation. The Guru is the nourisher and sustainer of life. This divine power has no shape, no name (Anam), and is beyond birth and death (Ajuni). The Divine exists beyond time (Akal). It experiences life through its own creation. The Divine is not a person living in a faraway place but is discovered within the heart through contemplation and through life itself. Guru stands for the energy and boundless wisdom of the Divine – it removes darkness and brings love, light, and complete enlightenment.
ਭੁਲਣ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਭੁ ਕੋ ਅਭੁਲੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਕਰਤਾਰੁ ॥ GGS, 60, M.1
ਹਰਿ ਹਮਰਾ ਹਮ ਹਰਿ ਕੇ ਦਾਸੇ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਬਦੁ ਗੁਰੂ ਸਚੁ ਦੀਨਾ ਜੀਉ ॥੪॥੧੪॥੨੧॥ GGS, 100, M.5
An enlightened yet humble messenger of the Divine is called by various names, including Gur, Bhagat, Jan or Dasan Das, which means devotee of devotees.
ਜਾਪ ਤਾਪ ਕਛੁ ਉਕਤਿ ਨ ਮੋਰੀ ॥ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਸਰਣਾਗਤਿ ਤੋਰੀ ॥੪॥੨੬॥ GGS, M.5, 377
ਹਮ ਬਾਰਿਕ ਗੁਰ ਅਗਮ ਗੁਸਾਈ ਗੁਰ ਕਰਿ ਕਿਰਪਾ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਪਾਲ ॥ ਬਿਖੁ ਭਉਜਲ ਡੁਬਦੇ ਕਾਢਿ ਲੇਹੁ ਪ੍ਰਭ ਗੁਰ ਨਾਨਕ ਬਾਲ ਗੁਪਾਲ ॥੪॥੨॥ GGS, M.4, 1335
ਦੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਸੁਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਮੰਧੇ ਸੰਸਾਰੁ ਸਗਲਾਣਾ ॥ ਦੁਹਹੂੰ ਤੇ ਰਹਤ ਭਗਤੁ ਹੈ ਕੋਈ ਵਿਰਲਾ ਜਾਣਾ ॥੧॥ GGS, M.5, 51
ਜੇਤਾ ਜੀਉ ਪਿੰਡੁ ਸਭੁ ਤੇਰਾ ਤੂੰ ਅੰਤਰਜਾਮੀ ਪੁਰਖੁ ਭਗਵਾਨੁ ॥ ਦਾਸਨਿ ਦਾਸੁ ਕਹੈ ਜਨੁ ਨਾਨਕੁ ਜੇਹਾ ਤੂੰ ਕਰਾਇਹਿ ਤੇਹਾ ਹਉ ਕਰੀ ਵਖਿਆਨੁ ॥੪॥੪॥੧੧॥ GGS, M.4, 734
Recognising oneself means recognising the Divine
Sikhi is about recognising the soul’s true origin and living a life of goodness. To recognise oneself is to recognise the Divine. On this journey, Sikhs come to realise that all beings are part of one family. Every human being has the same worth – no matter if someone is rich or poor, has dark or light skin, or is seen as big or small. Living truthfully, with courage, creativity, patience, kindness, humility, love, and forgiveness – this brings us closer to the Divine. So does refusing to compare ourselves to others, not fearing anyone, and not hating anyone. Being a Sikh also means standing up for what is right, striving for peace, and never giving up.
Coming Closer to the Divine
People who come closer to the Divine, intuitively become more loving – toward others and toward nature. Intuitively means without needing to try hard. Sikhs begin to see life as a sacred gift. This is why they protect their health, other beings, and Moter Earth. This attitude is also seen on the outside: Sikh women usually wear a simple scarf to cover their uncut hair. Sikh men grow a full beard and wear a carefully tied turban. The turban is called Dastar. It is not just put on – it is tied new each morning. Tying the Dastar is a daily moment of connection to the Divine. In doing so, Sikhs remember that there is a higher wisdom above us and our human wishes. This higher divine wisdom is called Hukam.
TASKS
1. What qualities describe the Divine?
2. What does Guru mean in Sikhi? What does Gur mean?
3. What do Sikhs realise on the journey of discovering the Divine?
4. Name five qualities that show we are getting closer to the Divine.
5. How is the turban connected to the Divine?
6. When do you feel deeply connected to the Divine? And when not?
7. During your next school holidays, read the book "Hello, Mister God, This is Anna" and write down what you’ve learned about yourself and the Divine.
